By Gavin Boyle
Al Roker celebrated a major milestone in his family, as his son, Nick, graduated from college with an associate’s degree in communications.
“Three years ago, we dropped him off as a first year college student,” Roker wrote on Instagram. “Today @nickroker155 has his #associatesdegree in #communications and we could not be prouder of how hard he has worked and is determined to get his #bachelorsdegree. Way to go, my boy.”
Roker has documented his son’s college journey through the years, previously sharing when his son found out he had been accepted at two schools, as well as Nick’s first full day on his college campus. Nick is Roker’s final child to attend college, and his graduation has been a major milestone as the news anchor has previously shared how his son has some “special needs.”
Roker, however, has continually shared how proud he is of his son, especially given the special challenges that he has faced throughout his life.
“Leila was a walking miracle. We wanted to tell the world. We were just as thrilled when her brother, Nick, was born, four years later. He too was an answer to prayer — like all children — but we knew right from the beginning that he would be up against a whole different set of challenges,” Roker previously shared. “He wasn’t developing as fast as he should have, not holding our fingers as tightly, not always meeting our gaze, not as quick to crawl. At three, he hardly talked and could barely walk.”
“Doctors and specialists put him through a slew of tests. Was it cerebral palsy? Autism? Maybe it was a processing disorder,” Roker continued. “…I can tell you that, yes, he’s somewhere on the spectrum and maybe obsessive-compulsive. But those labels can be frustrating; they don’t begin to describe who Nick really is.”
Roker has been particularly impressed by the way that Nick’s difficulties have allowed him to better serve the Lord. Throughout high school, he served as an acolyte, assisting in the processes of their church ceremonies.
“But ever since he’s become an acolyte, Nick has the clearest focus, Sunday after Sunday. Those qualities that you might think would hold him back are exactly the ones that drive him forward. If I thought tae kwon do was all about form and purpose, so is this,” Roker said. “Lighting the candles, carrying a torch, holding up the Bible for the lesson to be read and marching down the center aisle with the cross, concentrating on that altar. On Sundays he serves the Lord.”
As he continues on his education journey, hopefully Nick will continue to be a light in this world and share Jesus with those around him. Furthermore, Nick serves as an amazing testament to the fact that the Lord can use anyone who is willing to bring His kingdom to earth.
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